WONDERFUL SURPRISES

Yesterday morning, I woke to this lovely surprise

And today this is what it looks like...I enjoyed it while it lasted...so pretty.

I love how the Lord brings small pleasures and joys to us unexpectedly, it puts a big smile on my face and reminds me how loving and caring our Heavenly Father is.

The day before our snow day; Jenn, her mom and the kids all showed up for a visit on there way home from visiting Jenn's sister in Washington. It was so good to see them and visit for those few hours!

Jenn and her niece, Alice

Grandma and grand-daughter #2 (of 3)

Papa and his boys

Cousins

...and the classic Auntie pose

Marybeth with her cousins

First Stop - Travis Air Force Base

A family vacation re-wound:

My parents, Steven, Annie and I had been tentatively planning a trip to Arizona a few months after we got back from California. As the time drew nearer we started to get more serious about the trip, knowing it would be a lot of hours in the car and only a short amount of time to see family and attend my cousin's wedding. Our excitement grew when the day arrived for us to leave...because of Steven receiving unemployment we weren't able to leave until late in the afternoon on Wednesday (he wasn't allowed to be out of the state more than 3 full consecutive week days) giving us 2 1/2 days to drive to Scottsdale, AZ. While we were finishing up packing Cassie called my mom and me and wanted to get together for some coffee as a farewell (with the kids of course! :) ) As we sat and talked about the trip Cassie started thinking how great it would be if Brent could go along with us and meet some of the Hussey family (Daniel and our cousin Rachel were best buds growing up and now they both are married with two children...we thought it would be fun for Brent and Rachel's 5 year old daughter to meet) So one thing lead to another and all the sudden we were rushing out of Starbucks, my mom and I headed home to finish packing and Cassie off to pack Brent's stuff for us to take him. We were pretty excited however, the excitement had only just begun as we received a call from Cassie an 1/2 hour or so later saying that the entire Daniel Morris family had decided to make the trek with us. Whew! With 2 hours to go before our much needed departure we set out to get all the last minute things in place and done and cared for. The tension was growing to get out on time and though we hit some rough spots we made it 1/2 hour later than expected. Our plan was to drive all through the night. The kids did great (slept through a lot of it) and we finally arrived at Travis Air Force Base for a nights rest. Kevin was kind enough to get up out of his comfy bed around 2AM and meet us at the gate to let us in. After everyone, except Annie and I, settled into to the apartment that Kevin secured for us on base; Kevin, Annie and I headed back to his place and we all crashed!

"What you lookin at?"

Lincoln: come to greet us in the morning

Auntie and Maddie: bright and early

Aedan

Daddy and Daughter

Jenn with her 'mini me'

Madeleine takes after her mom in many ways, too cute.

Marybeth and Auntie

Miss Annie and Marybeth

What they do best

10 hours of driving the stang and a few restless hours of sleep = a very exhausted Steven.

Morris Family + Annie 2008

Morris Family Together Again

Back row: Daniel & Steven

Middle Row: Kevin, Mom, Brent, Cassie, Alice, Annie, Dad

Front Row: Lincoln, Jenn & Madeleine, Marybeth, Me & Aedan

Lincoln and me smiling

I have always dreamed of having a Great Dane, so I am thankful someone in my family got one. I think this situation works out better for me, I can enjoy him, minus all the clean up and expenses. ;)

Lincoln and me, silly face
This one is for you Kait! Notice I even taught Lincoln how to make the face! :)

The Kevin Morris Family

Our Growing Family!

Kiddos and Their Adoring Fans

Maddie sat in Miss Annie's lap for the longest time all nestled in and not feeling very well. It was the sweetest thing ever.

The famous Cheese face

Picture Taken By,

Maddie Morris

(with help from Auntie)

Everyone is getting in on the "Cheese Face," Unfortunately the Master Cheeser did not feel like performing this time but, instead, much rather preferred her loyal subject to make a fool of himself for her own pleasure, as she snickers beneath her breath.
Picture Taken By,
Kevin Morris (?)

Aunt Cassie with the lovely ladies

Picture Taken By,

Kevin Morris

Sweet Cousins Kissing

The Three Master Cheesers

...and the more sophisticated of the grandchildren or so they like to fool us.

Aunt Melinda, where she likes to be the most, surrounded by her sweet nieces and nephews (minus my little man, Brent)

Picture Taken By,

??

Being very cooperative
Picture Taken By,

Kevin Morris

The boys are bargaining to be done and the girls have found other means of entertainment

Picture Taken By,

Kevin Morris

Brent (4) Aedan (3) Alice (2) Madeleine (2) & Marybeth (8)

Picture taken by,

Kevin Morris

Picture taken by,

Randy Morris

Picture Taken By,

Randy Morris

Spinning

An attempt to capture the face of a child in the midst of the exhilarating experience of spinning, a favorite pass time of most all children.

My dad got the idea from a picture he saw on one of his photography websites so, Steven thought it would be fun to try it out. Our first attempt was with me spinning Alice with Steven standing directly behind me, doing his very best to try and keep up, but failing miserably. Seeing his brother fail, Daniel decides to step in and show Steven how it is done, unfortunately for him his pride was smashed and he did just as bad. Next up, ME, it can't be that hard (seriously, can it?) all you have to do is start a little before the actual spinner, it's all about being one step ahead. HA, or so I thought, after Annie was whacked in the head a few times with the camera we gave up that whole process and decided to re-hash our plans. We came up with a fool-proof plan...Hop on the back of the spinner and snap away...

The result: One worn-out and dizzy spinner, one hysterical and sore photographer, three laughing bystanders (caught on camera) and some amazing pictures to treasure for a lifetime!

Ali would do this all day long if given the option

Marybeth's face says it all!

Morris Family Reunion

Thanks to Cassie's great idea; the five of us took off for a quick run through at the Travis Air Force Base Museum, while we were visiting the Kevin Morris Family.

Kevin and Jenny sent us some great pictures of the kids, enjoy!

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Aedan (2 1/2) Marybeth (8) Madeleine (1 1/2)

Sporting the Easter dresses from Grandma Morris
I miss them!

Sweet little Madeleine, this is another dress Grandma Morris found and LOVED, Madeleine wears it well. ;) So cute!